Roy Keane: Alex Ferguson is hanging around Manchester United like a bad smell

When asked who his preference would be to take over at United on a permanent basis, Keane was clear.

Fri, 09 Jan, 2026 - 16:26

Andrew Horgan

Alex Ferguson continues to hang around Manchester United “like a bad smell” according to his former captain Roy Keane.

Ruben Amorim was recently relieved of his managerial duties following a falling out with the club’s hierarchy, leading to former midfielder Darren Fletcher taking charge of the side for their 2-2 draw with Burnley during the week.

Fletcher will remain in the hotseat for their FA Cup third round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Sunday, but he only took the job initially after phoning Ferguson and receiving his blessing.

"What happens in these job interviews? I'm intrigued," Keane told Sky Sports as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick continued to get linked with taking on the role until the end of the season.

Daniel Sturridge laughing after Roy Keane says Alex Ferguson is still hanging around Man United like a bad smell 👃🏻💨🤣#Sturridge #SkySports pic.twitter.com/cJTJVe3dES
— GuffGuffGuffy (@guffguffguffy) January 8, 2026

"Why do they keep giving certain people a job? What happens in the interview that they sit there and go, and 12, 14 months later, 'He's not the guy for us’.

"Do you not suss that out when you speak to them? You look somebody in the eye and go…

"You see who’s making the decisions at Manchester United. You still have Ferguson and David Gill hanging on like a bad smell.

"Who’s making the decisions? Ratcliffe, Wilcox?"

When asked who his preference would be to take over at United on a permanent basis, Keane was clear.

"I'd go with Eddie Howe. I like him," he added.

"I like what he's done. He's managed a lot of games. When his teams are at it, they'll play good football. He has his critics, but I like what he's done at Newcastle.

“He's managed seven or 800 games. He's still a young man. I love his calmness. Maybe Man Utd need a little bit of that.

"We've seen with our previous [appointments], we like people with emotions, but he's got that calmness.

“The job he's done at Newcastle, Champions League and winning a cup, I'd be happy to see him go in there."